Parkway Tree Choices: No mess? Colorful leaves? Bee Friendly? Here’s Your Cheat Sheet

If you don’t have a tree in your parkway and are considering taking advantage of the city of Chicago’s free tree program that plants a tree in your parkway, the good news is that you have a choice on what kind of tree you would like planted in front of your residence.

On of the larger trees in the Hermosa community in Chicago, 3000 block of Kilbourn. This tree was likely an original planted in the 1920s when the area was known as “Belmont Terrace” - photo by Lee Helmer

On of the larger trees in the Hermosa community in Chicago, 3000 block of Kilbourn. This tree was likely an original planted in the 1920s when the area was known as “Belmont Terrace” - photo by Lee Helmer

More good news is that you can start the process before you even choose a tree, which we recommend. You can dial 311, or using the 311 app to put this “order” in motion, then the city will contact you later in order to get your tree choice.

There are numerous choices from the city’s website that might leave you a little dizzy, but if you’re pressed for time and want certain characteristics such as a no-mess tree, bee friendly, or one that has pretty fall leaves, these are solid choices that are native to Chicago. While many in the list are fast-growing shade trees, you should keep in mind it will take anywhere from 10-40+ years for your tree to look as mature as some of the trees on your block. That aside, healthy young trees still provide the benefits listed below:


Low Mess

  • American Linden

  • Shademaster Honeylocust

  • Ironwood


Pretty / Ornamental

  • Fall Fiesta Sugar Maple

  • Ivory Silk Japanese Tree Lilac

  • Eastern Redbud


Songbird Friendly

  • Valley Forge Elm (resistant to Ductch Elm disease)

  • Sugarberry

  • Eastern Redbud

Small (>30 ft)

  • Heritage River Birch

  • Canada Red Choke Cherry

  • American Hornbeam

Bee/Pollinator Friendly

  • American Linden

  • Imperial Honeylocust

  • Canada Red Choke Cherry


For links to more details and photos, you can use our handy Chicago Parkway Tree Options google sheet with filtering options.

Before you do any in-depth tree research, we recommend you order your tree first, as it could take more than a few weeks to get an official response from the city. The tree planting season is spring, then again in fall, depending on ground temperatures. It’s never too early or late to order your tree. Order your tree by dialing 311, or using the 311 app.

REFERENCES

Department of Forestry, City of Chicago. Chicago Urban Tree Planting List, 2012. https://www.chicago.gov/content/dam/city/depts/streets/supp_info/Forestry/Forestry%202013/Chicago_Urban_Tree_Planting_list_2012.pdf

Tree Planting, Department of Streets and Sanitation, City of Chicago. Chicago.gov retrieved July 2020. https://www.chicago.gov/city/en/depts/streets/provdrs/forestry/svcs/tree_planting.html

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infoLee Helmergarden, trees